Judge denies requests of crash defendants
A state judge denied requests yesterday to reduce bail or allow supervised release for two men charged with manslaughter in connection with a fatal car crash in Mililani last year.
Justin Amorin, 22, is free after he posted $150,000 bail last month. Bernard DeCoito Jr., 23, remains in custody, unable to post his $150,000 bail.
Amorin wanted Circuit Judge Karl Sakamoto to reduce his bail to $25,000. DeCoito had asked Sakamoto to order him released from custody under the supervision of his mother.
Amorin's lawyer Reginald Minn told Sakamoto his client does not pose a danger to the public because he drives only at the airport for work. But prosecutors presented a witness who told Sakamoto she has seen Amorin driving in Mililani since he was charged last month.
And the prosecution said DeCoito has numerous speeding violations, the most recent less than three months after the crash that killed his girlfriend, for operating a vehicle at least 80 mph, or 30 mph over the speed limit.
The state also said it will file a request to require Amorin and DeCoito to surrender their driver's licenses as a condition of bail.
Amorin and DeCoito are each charged with manslaughter and second-degree assault in connection with a Feb. 23, 2007, crash that killed Gillian Badua, 17, and permanently injured Gavin Watson, 19. Both victims were passengers in Amorin's car, which crashed into a tree on Lanikuhana Avenue.
Prosecutors said DeCoito was racing with Amorin, and both cars were traveling between 85 and 100 mph. The speed limit on Lanikuhana Avenue is 25 mph.